uncertain

adjective

un·​cer·​tain ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn How to pronounce uncertain (audio)
1
a
: not known beyond doubt : dubious
an uncertain claim
b
: not having certain knowledge : doubtful
remains uncertain about her plans
c
: not clearly identified or defined
a fire of uncertain origin
2
: not constant : variable, fitful
an uncertain breeze
3
: indefinite, indeterminate
the time of departure is uncertain
4
: not certain to occur : problematical
his success was uncertain
5
: not reliable : untrustworthy
an uncertain ally
uncertainly adverb
uncertainness noun

Examples of uncertain in a Sentence

The time of departure is still uncertain. We are still uncertain of the truth. She remains uncertain about her plans. I'm uncertain about how to respond. The cause of the fire is uncertain. He has an uncertain temper. They face a financially uncertain future.
Recent Examples on the Web One such investor was especially cautious during the March 2020 downturn, uncertain of where things would go. Gianluca Sidoti, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 It’s been wonderful, over the past few years, to see scrappy projects from that uncertain era—among them Wizard Hat Pizza, the taqueria Border Town, and the bakery L’Appartement 4F—live on and form a thriving new generation of New York City food culture. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024 Harris still wins an overwhelming majority of Black voters, 76% to 11%, with 8% uncertain in the latest Economist/YouGov survey, for example. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024 But even their future in practice remains uncertain. Alex Prewitt, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for uncertain 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncertain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncertain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near uncertain

Cite this Entry

“Uncertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncertain. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncertain

adjective
un·​cer·​tain ˌən-ˈsərt-ᵊn How to pronounce uncertain (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not definite or fixed
an uncertain quantity
2
a
: not sure
uncertain of the truth
b
: not known for sure
an uncertain claim
3
: likely to change : not dependable
uncertain weather
uncertainly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on uncertain

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